Show Notes
Darnel Alexander is a soulful R&B singer and songwriter whose journey stretches from the 90s boy band era to a surprising second wind on TikTok. In this conversation, Darnel takes us back to his Seattle roots, the early talent show circuit, and his first group, Third Level, including the grind of learning the industry from the inside before anyone was paying attention. From there, he breaks down what it was really like being in the a cappella R&B group Second Nature: the rehearsals, the compromises, the pressure, and the lessons you only learn when you are sharing bills with major artists and trying to meet the standard night after night. Then we get into the moment everything changed. Darnel posts a raw Luther Vandross cover, a cappella in a parking garage, and it takes off. He shares what happened next: figuring out a repeatable approach to content, balancing covers with original music, handling accusations of lip-syncing once he started adding music, and staying grounded through the mind games of social media. We also talk about the deeper stuff that makes his story more than “went viral”: personal growth, confidence without ego, building discipline through fitness, vocal care, and what it looks like to pursue music while working a full-time job and raising kids. If you have ever felt like your window closed, this episode is a reminder that a second wind is real, especially when you are ready for it. In this episode, we cover: The real day-to-day of 90s group life: rehearsals, roles, compromise, and pressure What he learned from sharing stages with major acts and seeing true professionalism up close Why covers are not “cheating,” plus how to use them without getting stuck The parking garage Luther cover that sparked a viral moment Social media mind games, haters, algorithm swings, and staying consistent anyway Fitness, discipline, and vocal care habits (including his no-dairy rule before shows) Making music while balancing a full-time job, fatherhood, and limited free time Confidence, humility, and building a life that is actually good Episode Links and Mentions 🌐 Deon Cole Connect with the Guest: 🔗 Darnelalexandermusic.com 🔗 Instagram 🔗 YouTube 🔗 TikTok Featured Song: 🎧 https://open.spotify.com/track/0KK3QEaUNYasQ19x17g5dd?si=6e7feb40a6b54e3f 🎧 Listen on Spotify 👀 Watch on YouTube Get new episodes by email: Join the Secrets From The Scene newsletter. Secrets From The Scene is made by Helvig Productions, a Twin Cities recording studio for artists and bands.
More from Secrets From The Scene
Going viral is one thing. What do you do the next morning? How do you turn a moment of internet attention into fans who stick around, buy the merch, come to shows, and care about the next record? And how do you keep feeding the internet without letting the algorithm dictate what your band becomes? For episode 100, Austin and Taryn from Durry break down one of the most impressive modern DIY band operations to come out of Minnesota in recent years. We get into the strategy behind Durry’s incredibly cohesive world, from the songs and signature yellow to DIY videos, social media, merch, Easter eggs, and a live show involving thrift-store TVs, programmed lights, Super Smash Bros., and an inflatable tube man. More importantly, they explain the work behind making all of that feel effortless. We talk about recognizing a viral moment and moving fast, learning new skills as you need them, knowing when DIY is helping or hurting, protecting your voice from the algorithm, and the financial reality of building a successful independent band. In this episode: What Durry did immediately after “Who’s Laughing Now” went viral, including the merch decision that helped fund everything that followed Why a unified creative vision, ruthless self-editing, and knowing what feels “Durry” matter more than having unlimited resources How they think about social media as a funnel, from millions of views on a ridiculous Sprite video to deeply committed fans Why DIY still has to be good, and how limitations, used gear, trial and error, and learning new skills have shaped their aesthetic Building a live show that extends the Durry world instead of simply putting four musicians onstage The less glamorous economics behind touring, merch, vans, streaming, and trying to make a sustainable life in music Subscribe to the newsletter for new episodes and practical ideas from the people making the Twin Cities music scene work. Secrets From The Scene is made by Helvig Productions, a Twin Cities recording studio for artists and bands. Episode Links and Mentions Durry – “Who’s Laughing Now” Official Music Video Durry – “This Movie Sucks” Official Music Video Coyote Kid – Austin’s previous band Connect with the Guest Official Website Instagram @durrymusic YouTube Featured Song “idk i just work here” by Durry 🎧 Listen on Spotify 👀 Watch on YouTube
What happens after your band gets the breakout moment every artist is chasing? For Joshua Schmidt, Step Rockets’ “Kisser” went viral in 2013, eventually racking up more than 14 million streams and bringing label interest, national touring, major festivals, and opportunities to open for artists like Bon Jovi and Blondie. But the bigger story might be what Josh built after that initial wave of momentum. Today, his career stretches across solo and corporate gigs, sync licensing, songwriting, production, his Americana project Cryote, and audio and podcast work outside the traditional music industry. Instead of relying on one project to make everything work, Josh has spent years piecing together a sustainable career from a lot of different skills. We get into: What happened when “Kisser” suddenly went viral and record labels started calling
A lot of people want the touring career. Fewer understand the early load-ins, five-show weeks, bus sleep, professional discipline, and years of relationships that make it possible. Professional front-of-house audio engineer Joey Vesuvius returns to the podcast after nearly two years in Los Angeles, international tours, major festivals, and a move back home to Minnesota. With Max Greene hosting, Joey breaks down how he went from corporate audio and local production work to touring with artists including Passion Pit, Danny Brown, Russ, JPEGMAFIA, MIKE, Keshi, and others. They also get honest about the parts of career growth that are harder to see from the outside. Moving to LA accelerated Joey’s network and created new opportunities, but the cost, workload, and burnout eventually forced him to reconsider what he actually wanted his life to look like. In this episode: When moving to a major music city can accelerate your career, and when it may be premature How stagehand work, corporate audio, and genuine relationships led Joey into touring A real hour-by-hour breakdown of a day running sound for Passion Pit Why reputation, professionalism, and knowing when to lock in determine who gets called back How touring professionals manage exhaustion, isolation, health, and the temptation to treat every night like a party Why great audio still begins with fundamentals, not expensive gear, secret tricks, or paywalled information Joey’s path is not a formula, but it offers an honest look at the choices, relationships, and habits that helped him move from local production gigs to arenas, international festivals, and two sold-out shows at Red Rocks. For anyone trying to build a sustainable career in live music, this episode is both a reality check and a reminder to appreciate how far you have already come. Episode Links and Mentions 🌐 Passion Pit 🌐 Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater 🌐 Minnesota Yacht Club Festival 🌐 The 1975 Connect with the Guest: 🔗 Joey on IG Get new episodes by email: Join the Secrets From The Scene newsletter. Secrets From The Scene is made by Helvig Productions, a Twin Cities recording studio for artists and bands.
A music video does not need an enormous budget to connect with people. But it does need an idea that fits the song, a clear plan, and enough intention that the limitations feel like part of the art rather than an accident. Ryan Kemp started Chutes as a private songwriting project during the pandemic before assembling a band for a last-minute opening slot at 7th St Entry. From there, Chutes grew through the Twin Cities DIY circuit, Como house shows, and local venues before appearing at First Avenue’s Best New Bands. Along the way, Ryan made music videos a central part of how Chutes communicates its sound and identity. In this episode, he breaks down the creative process behind the nostalgic, performance-driven “Sugar” video and the darker, more narrative “Dog,” which draws on rural Minnesota, religious imagery, childhood memories, and a Midwest Gothic aesthetic. We also discuss how artists can develop a visual language over time, turn scattered inspiration into a usable treatment, plan around locations and daylight, collaborate without losing the original idea, and handle the often-underestimated work of editing and feedback. In this episode: How Chutes grew from a solo pandemic project into a full Twin Cities band Why cohesive visuals can deepen a listener’s connection to the music How “Sugar” recreated early-2000s rock-video energy without becoming a parody Turning mood boards, references, and locations into the story behind “Dog” Why editing, scheduling, and communication are often harder than the shoot How to make a low-budget video feel creative, intentional, and true to the song
Most people see the packed room. They do not see the risk behind it. Before a show feels effortless, someone has to bet real money, earn the venue’s trust, book the right artist, build the crowd, manage the chaos, and create a culture people actually want to come back to. This week, I’m joined by Jack Trash, also known as John Tasch, founder of SIMshows and one of the key figures behind the Twin Cities electronic music scene. For more than 35 years, Jack has been DJing, promoting, booking artists, throwing events, and helping move local dance music from underground rooms and warehouse parties into some of the biggest venues in the city. In this episode, Jack breaks down what it really takes to build a scene that lasts. We talk about the early rave days, the rise of EDM in Minneapolis, the financial reality behind major events, the artists and venues that shaped SIMshows, and why Jack still sees promotion as community work first. In this episode, we talk about: Why a sold-out-looking show is not always a profitable show How Twin Cities EDM grew from flyers, word of mouth, and warehouse parties The moment social media and streaming changed the entire promotion game What local DJs get wrong when asking for gigs How promoters think about openers, energy, professionalism, and trust Why Jack uses SIMshows as a platform to build community and take care of people